Day 7 Impression: Today was an off day, meaning that we still had Satsung in the morning and evening and there are still yoga classes if you wanted to go. I attended Satsung and morning yoga class, once you get into a rhythm it is difficult to take a break from it and this rhythm I am in is good for my body and soul. After yoga we had an amazing vegetarian brunch and then I showered and got ready for my big day in the city! It turned out to be a soaking wet day in the city but was nonetheless fun. I went with another yogi to her doctor’s appointment then we went to get her a dress and had fresh pineapple juice. We decided that we would like a treat too. Bad idea! We got jackfruit chips and they made both of our stomachs ache. It was a shock to our system after seven days of homemade fresh healthy food. We both couldn’t eat it and felt ill for the rest of the day. After our stop to eat I was ready to get back to the ashram and go back to the daily routine. We made it in time for afternoon yoga and dinner, yet again an amazing “pure veg” dinner, which for those of you who don’t know “veg” and “pure veg” are very different! :) I was exhausted and skipped out on Satsung and slept like a rock.
Day 8 Impression: Today was Swami Sivananda’s birthday we awoke early as usually to an ungodly loud bell and had a morning puja for him. It was my first puja (a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests) it was very educationally and thought provoking. It lasted almost 2 hours and ended in a celebration of Swami Sivananda’s life and teaches. At the end everyone partook in arteya and took a mound full of sweets on a banana leaf. The whole day was dedicated to him and that evening we watched a video about his life. If you would like to learn more here is a brief reading: http://www.sivanandaonline.org/public_html/?cmd=displaysection§ion_id=1645
Day 9 Impression -Today started out like any other day at the ashram but after breakfast I went to check my email and I was approached by Colonel Nair, a guest speaker every Sunday. He was in the Indian Army for 40 some years then decided to leave and become spiritual and begin yoga. He also felt the need to start painting again. http://www.nairsart.com/contact.htm These paintings of his are displayed all over the ashram dining hall, and to say the least they are colorful and have interesting brush strokes. But they are nothing that was moving to me or evoked any emotion on my behalf. So anyway he began to talk to me and sat down and said he felt drawn to me because I was a fellow artist and he could feel that I would appreciate his work. He continued for the next hour or so to talk to me about his inspiration and his process while painting. I know it may sound harsh but I was tired and it was my quite time so I was not in the mood to be bothered. He was very kind at first trying to share interests and he even invited me to his home, but there was some strange feeling that I couldn't put my finger on during the conversation. A few minutes later when he was trying to sell me his paintings and pushing me to come to his house to see them I realized that yes he may a kind interesting gentleman but he was just trying to make money off another tourist...sad. Anyway later I found out that he did this to everyone else at the ashram so I didn't feel to bad about saying no and not going.
Day 10 Impression: So today I just felt an overwhelming urge to leave the ashram. It is full of amazing, loving and intelligent people but I don’t feel at home. Some people have been here for months or years and I have realized that even if I am in a completely different country than my loved ones I could never be this removed from them. I also have noticed more than usual my need for physical affection. At the orphanage I was surrounded by 90 girls who gave me multiple hugs and kisses everyday. Then I was able to spend two weeks with Tanner and then to be removed from all physical contact has been really hard for me. I need hugs in my life and I have realized that I personally can be surrounded by loving people in a supportive and loving environment but if I don’t have hugs I get really sad and lonely. So today I focused my meditation time on those people I love and sent them positive thoughts and virtual hugs and it made me feel a bit better but I am glad that my two weeks is almost done and I will get a big hug from the man I love soon!
After day 10 I stopped writing to focus on me. It was a nice ending to the ashram experience and I will post some lovely pictures soon and an overall rating (spoiler alert it is two thumbs up kind of place) as soon as I get a chance. http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/contact.html In the meantime please stay tuned for an exciting post about my last week in Ft. Kochi and my business meeting with Envirofit!
No comments:
Post a Comment